Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)

A lush potted peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) with glossy dark-green leaves in a terracotta pot against a light wall
Photo: DAR7 · CC BY-SA 4.0

A graceful low-light bloomer that literally droops to tell you it's thirsty — one of the most communicative houseplants you can grow.

By Plant Care DB Team · Updated June 7, 2026

💧 Watering calculator

Water your Peace Lily about every 6 days. Always check that the top inch of soil is dry first — when in doubt, wait.

🪟 Will Peace Lily thrive at my window?

🩺 What's wrong with my Peace Lily?

What is a peace lily?

The peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii) is a shade-loving tropical from the arum family, grown for its glossy dark leaves and elegant white “flowers” (actually a modified leaf called a spathe). It’s popular for offices and low-light rooms because it tolerates shade — and because it’s unusually expressive about its needs.

Why is my peace lily drooping?

This is the peace lily’s defining trait: when the soil dries out, the whole plant wilts dramatically — then perks back up within hours of watering. It’s the most direct “water me” signal in the houseplant world. Just don’t use it as your only cue; letting it wilt hard every time slowly stresses the plant.

How much light does a peace lily need and will it flower?

Peace lilies tolerate low light but flower best in medium to bright indirect light. In a dim corner you’ll get healthy leaves but few or no blooms. If yours has stopped flowering, the fix is almost always more (indirect) light.

How often should you water a peace lily?

Roughly every 5–7 days, keeping the soil lightly and evenly moist — more than a succulent, less than a bog plant. They also love humidity, so a bathroom or a spot near other plants suits them well.

Why does my peace lily get brown leaf tips?

Brown tips usually come from tap-water minerals (chlorine and fluoride), low humidity, or over-fertilizing. Switch to filtered or distilled water, raise humidity a little, and go easy on feeding.

Is a peace lily toxic to pets?

Yes — the ASPCA lists peace lily as toxic to cats and dogs. Note this is different from true lilies (Lilium), which are far more dangerous to cats; peace lily causes oral irritation, drooling, and trouble swallowing from insoluble calcium oxalates.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water a peace lily?

About every 5–7 days — they like consistently (but not constantly) moist soil. The plant tells you directly — when the leaves droop, it's time to water, and it perks back up within hours.

Why is my peace lily drooping?

Almost always thirst. Peace lilies wilt dramatically when the soil dries out and recover quickly after watering. If it droops even with moist soil, check for root rot from overwatering.

Why won't my peace lily flower?

Usually too little light. They survive in low light but need medium to bright indirect light to produce their white blooms. Move it brighter to encourage flowering.

Is a peace lily toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists peace lily as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause oral irritation, drooling, and difficulty swallowing if chewed.

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